The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-01


i .Dear Allan, I'm SO sorry, but you
! really must 60. l can't be easy while
you are here. Only think. we are be.
fore uncle's very door,"
'.If you had the least bit Of eomHson
politeness. Ailsa, you'd invite me into
the par Or. And I'd go. ton. and stay
till l heard old Duncan dhu Mncfarlane
Mohr coming mp the steps. There.
there. darling. don't pout, and won't
joke any more. But Ill tell you what
| we will do. Come into the boat with
me, and we'll move out rod or two.
There's just the least ripple of swell.
and we can talk as long AS we please,
with no one to disturb US. Come,
darling"
"What. before your sailors? Allan.
how can yOn ask me?"
"NOt sailor there. Ailsa-Only Will,
my brother. You've met the boy al
ready. and he loves you only less than
do myself. Come. lassie."
Ailsa suffered herself to be persuaded.
and moment later Allan lifted her in
to the boat. A dark figure rose up
from the thwarts and warmly clasped
her hand and then the two brothers
silently rowed the boat half dozen
lengths from shore. Then Allan hand
ed his oar to his brother. saying:
keep her steady VIII. with her head
10 the swell for Just Ave minutes. I've
q little matter Of very important bus
mess that l want to talk over with
Ailsa."
But as he rose to change his seat
Will pushed him back and thrust his
oar again into his hands. whispering
eXcitedly:
Look, look! The boats! Can they
be after us?"
An instant's glance showed Allan
two rowboats. dimly visible in the
darkness, and swiftly approaching
them along the shore. The foremost
had already reached such a position
that it would be impossible to gain the
beach without coming in collision with
it. Moreover. it was evident that the
crews of both had discovered the Cor
dons' boat. and that they intended to
cut of its escape. What was to I've done?
Ailsa wrung her hands. "Oh, what
have l done?" she whispered in an
guish. Allan, Allan! will be d sgraccd
forever!'
"That you shall not. Ailsa, my dar-
ling" answered Allan. "But calm
yourself. dearest, and trust to me.
There is only one way. Put in your
best work now, Will. Out to the sloop!'
The two young men bent to their
oars, and the light craft shot over the
water ut a speed which it soon became
evident their pursuers could not equal.
Nevertheless the latter kept OH and did
not fall far behind.
A few moments of rapid rowing and
the fugitives' boat swept alongside
broad-beamed sloop. which lay at
anchor. gently rising and falling with
the swell.
Allan had swung himself on board in
an instant.
Lift her up" Win. he said. STEADY.
now. Ailsa. my darling: never fear that
I'll let you fall. Here you are. Climb
aboard. VIII. and let the boat drop
under the stern. All sail. boys. Tn
glad TO see you looking alive. Cut the
cable and let the anchor gO-what's 4
bit Of iron more or less? But, lively,
lads. lively now, if you'd serve Allan
Gordon!'
The crew of the sloop. three stall
wart, strong-!;mbcd young sailors.
seemed TO need 10 urging. Like light
inw the broad sheets of canvas rose in
the air. swelling out. ',ailcon-like, be-
fore the breeze. The bow of keen
edged hatchet severed the cable in an
instant and the Sleep at once BEGAN to
gather way. But BOW the pursuing
boats were near ut hand. and froEl the
forcnos: came Il stem voice saving:
Lower your sails and lie; lis come on
board. command you in the name of
the law"
Allan Gordon, whom the Ugh: Of
the ships lamp now showed To be Il
staiwart, broad-shou!dcrcd youth. with
laughing brown eyes and clustering
chestnut hair. smiled as he heard the
command. but. without making any
answer. turned to lead Ailsa to the
hatchway. But now there came an
other stcrncr hail.
do you hear what ! say? Lay by!
We are armed, and will fire if you do
not obey"
Poor Ai'sa, who had not bargaincd
for any thing like this. trcmb!cd with
terror. and at this Allan's GOODNESS ut
once forsOok him.
you'll fire. viii you.' he shouted.
savagely. Then do you know what
I'll do? Just empty one muskct in this
direction. and Ill change my course
and run down both your miserable
cock-shells. as sure as there's a God"
There was dead silence after that
from the boats, but Ailsa. as she heard
the threat, claspcd Allan's arm convul-
sivcly.
ALLAN. Allan! how can you! And
my uncle, tool
''Your uncle, Ailsa. Is he in the |
boats?"
''Of course he is. 1t was he who
spoke"
Allan's lips gave ven: to long
viii tie. but he answered finally, with "A
broad smile upon his handsome face:
''Never fear. Ailsa. darling. l won't
have to perjurc myself. His men heard
the threat. and that'll do. l know the